THE repeated deployment of a Chinese maritime militia vessel accompanied by dozens of small boats near Kota Island raises concerns over China's continuing efforts to assert its claims in the West Philippine Sea, national security expert and civil society leader Jose Antonio Goitia said.
The same Chinese Maritime Militia Vessel (CMMV) 9622 returned to the waters near the Philippine-held island on Oct. 9 with 22 sampans, just 11 days after it was reported in the area with 24 similar boats.
The latest incident involved an alleged attempt by the Chinese vessel to assert control over the area and order Filipino personnel to leave as Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel, supported by the Philippine Marine Corps and Philippine Navy, moved to address the Chinese presence.
Goitia said Filipino defenders had the right to remain in Philippine waters and carry out their duties despite the Chinese vessel's reported demand.
“Our Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy have every right to perform their lawful duties in Philippine waters. No foreign vessel can simply order them to leave. They were there to protect our interests, and they had every reason to stay,” he said.
According to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), one of the 22 sampans approached within about 250 meters of Kota Island's shoreline.
The Chinese mothership maneuvered around and encircled Philippine boats, claimed the area as Chinese territory and directed the Filipino team to leave.
The PCG and NTF-WPS said the coordinated Philippine response resulted in all the Chinese vessels leaving the island's territorial sea.
The task force also accused the Chinese boats of engaging in unauthorized fishing and dumping waste at sea.
The return of CMMV 9622 so soon after its previous deployment highlights the recurring presence of Chinese maritime militia vessels and small boats near Philippine-held features in the disputed South China Sea.
Kota Island, also known as Loaita Island, is part of the Kalayaan Island Group in Palawan. Its territorial sea falls under Philippine sovereignty.
The NTF-WPS said the reported activities violated Philippine laws, including Republic Act 12064, or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, and Republic Act 8550, or the Philippine Fisheries Code, as amended by Republic Act 10654.
China claims most of the South China Sea, including areas disputed by the Philippines.
A 2016 arbitral ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea rejected the legal basis of China's expansive historic-rights claim insofar as it exceeds the maritime rights allowed under the convention. Beijing rejected the ruling.
